When should I use this guide?

Use this guide if someone owes you $7500 or less and you know exactly the amount they owe. A minor debt can be:

• a sum of money you lent to another person
• an ‘I owe you’ or ‘IOU’ note
• a cheque that was not cleared because the writer of the cheque did not have enough funds to cover it
• wages owing to you under a written or oral agreement
• the cost of work done under a written or oral contract
• the cost of a dividing fence which was agreed to by your neighbour before it was built.

Do not use this guide if someone owes you more than $7500 or if your claim is not for a fixed amount. For example, you may have a claim for loss or damage to your property, such as your house or car. This is not a minor debt.

A minor debt claim does not apply if you:

• have a claim against a builder for losses associated with residential building work — contact the Queensland Commercial and Consumer Tribunal
• are a consumer having problems with a trader about goods or services — contact the Small Claims Tribunal
• are a trader in conflict with another trader about goods or services — contact the Small Claims Tribunal
• have a dispute about a bond held by the Residential Tenancies Authority — contact the Small Claims Tribunal or the Residential Tenancies Authority.

You should get legal advice

It can sometimes be difficult to know whether your claim is a minor debt. If you are unsure, get legal advice from:

• Legal Aid Queensland — call 1300 65 11 88 for free advice
• a community legal centre — go to www.legalaid.qld.gov.au or call 1300 65 11 88 to check services in your area
• a private solicitor — call the Queensland Law Society on (07) 3842 5842 for names of solicitors who can help.